Update: Dover Couple In ICE Custody

Photos show agents struggling with  Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena on Saturday morning.

Osmar Ruiz reaches for his father, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, who is held down by three ICE agents. (Photo/Karol Ruiz)

Dover residents Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena were taken into ICE custody around 10 a.m Saturday near the intersection of Park Avenue and Hillcrest Avenue.

Margarita Cielo Balbuena, right, records her husband, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, being restrained by four ICE agents wearing POLICE vests. (Photo/Karol Ruiz)

Margarita Cielo Balbuena was led away to another vehicle by ICE agents. (Photo/Karol Ruiz)

Three ICE agents attempt to pull Filemon Ruiz Cielo from his truck on Saturday. (Photo/Karol Ruiz)

The husband-and-wife owners of 3 Hermanos Mexican Restaurant in Rockaway were reportedly leaving for work with their 31-year-old son, Osmar, when witnesses say they were "boxed in" by a silver Ford SUV and a gray Subaru SUV. The Ford vehicle was allegedly without license plates.

Witnesses say a struggle occurred as the agents attempted to pull Ruiz Cielo from the vehicle. He and Cielo Balbuena were pepper-sprayed, taken into custody, and transported to the Elizabeth Detention Facility. Osmar was not taken away.

According to a statement from Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, Ruiz Cielo and Cielo Balbuena have valid authorization to work in the U.S. and are awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge in 2028.  Osmar and his brother, Saul, are U.S. citizens.

(Left to right) Margarita Cielo Balbuena, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, and their son, Osmar Ruiz, in happier days. (Photo/Mireya Lopez)

The release reports that Osmar repeatedly requested to see a warrant, but the agents said they didn't need one. “My father recently had back surgery," Osmar said. "I told the agents that, but they slammed him to the ground anyway. I saw his mouth bleeding, and both my parents' faces stained orange from mace. My son heard the screams in the streets. I’ve never ever felt anything like this before. I am a United States citizen. Why is my family being terrorized like this when all we do is give generously and work hard?”

The statement says that attorney and Wind of the Spirit advocate Karol Ruiz witnessed the incident.

Mireya Lopez started a GoFundMe page to solicit donations for the legal defense fund for Ruiz Cielo and Cielo Balbuena. There is also concern that the pair, who are both diabetic, were put in detention without proper medications.

Dover Town Council Member Daniella Mendez posted a statement on Facebook, reading in part, "...What happened to this family is exactly what so many fear, a system that tears people from their homes, separates loved ones, and spreads fear throughout entire communities. In Dover, we don't turn away when our neighbors are targeted; we speak up."

The official Town of Dover Police Department page added this comment: "This morning, there was significant law enforcement activity in the area of Park Avenue, which resulted in the arrest of two individuals.

The officers involved were not members of the Dover Police Department, and this was not a Dover Police operation. Dover Police Officers responded to the area of Park Avenue after receiving a call for an unknown problem. As local police officers arrived, they confirmed that it was a federal ICE operation and that agents were concluding their operation and leaving the scene.

Any inquiries regarding the operation, arrests, or related information should be directed to the appropriate public information officials for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."

U.S. Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (D-Dist. 11) said, "The reports of violence and aggressive treatment by federal agents during this ICE raid are deeply troubling, and the families of those affected are understandably concerned. My team is in contact with impacted families and has reached out to ICE to ensure detainees are receiving fair treatment and proper medical attention. I will continue advocating for every person to be treated with dignity and respect. These kinds of ICE raids spread fear throughout our communities, separate families, and undermine trust. We need accountability, oversight, and an end to ICE’s reign of terror.”

Officials from DHS, ICE, or the Elizabeth Detention Center have not returned requests for comment.

Mayor James P. Dodd didn't respond to a request for comment about the incident.

Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney had no comment.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is evolving. Check back at DOVERNOW.com for updates.